Stand-off between statutory authorities and faith communities could harm children

A dangerous “them and us” stand-off could develop between statutory authorities and some faith communities that might leave children at greater risk of being abused, a Christian child protection charity leader will say today.

David Pearson, executive director of the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service is to deliver the warning at a conference.

He will say that guidance by the Department for Education and Skills would “inadvertently alienate” faith communities that already felt marginalised by society, without more positive engagement between the authorities and those communities.